"So interesting... I didn't expect the Hokage himself to show up over something so minor."
Rukawa frowned as he watched Hiruzen Sarutobi make his grand entrance, clearly unimpressed.
But right then, a familiar sound echoed in his mind:
Ding... Temporary Mission Triggered!
Mission: Use any method to make the always-calm Hiruzen Sarutobi lose his temper!
Reward: +2 Sign-In Opportunities
Oh ho! Another mission!
Only two sign-in attempts again, but the mission seemed pretty simple.
I just need to piss off Hiruzen Sarutobi? Rukawa rubbed his chin, already thinking up methods.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Hyūga Makino wasn't paying any attention to his bruised backside. He scrambled to Hiruzen's side, sobbing dramatically:
"Lord Third, I've suffered so much! Not only was I beaten within an inch of my life—he publicly humiliated me in front of the entire village!"
"If not for your heroic rescue, I wouldn't even have the will to live anymore!"
He then pointed angrily at Rukawa and shouted:
"That brat is the one responsible! Lord Hokage, you must not let him go unpunished!"
Hiruzen comforted him calmly, patting his shoulder.
"Don't worry. As Hokage, I won't allow anyone to harm their fellow villagers without consequence. I'll make sure you get justice."
Makino was so moved he nearly burst into tears.
He resolved, on the spot, to join the ANBU and devote his life to serving the Hokage.
Having won over the hearts of the onlookers, Hiruzen turned to Rukawa with a solemn face:
"Even if I don't know how you suddenly became so powerful, that doesn't give you the right to harm your comrades!"
"We are all one family in Konoha. Strength should be used to protect your allies—not hurt them."
"But you, Uchiha Rukawa... you beat up a fellow shinobi and humiliated him in public. That is no different from rebellion."
"In fact, your actions are worthy of being declared a missing-nin—an enemy of the entire village."
Hiruzen wore a heavy expression, his voice full of sorrow.
"Such a young child, already marked as a traitor... what a pity."
Rukawa stood silently, arms crossed, completely unfazed.
Hiruzen frowned and shifted his tone.
"Still, you are just a child. It's understandable that you were overwhelmed by your newfound strength."
"Though you made mistakes, you deserve a chance to atone for them."
He paused, then continued in a gentle tone:
"Join the ANBU. I will personally guide you. You'll learn to be a proper shinobi, loyal to the village."
"Serving in the ANBU is serving Konoha. You'll grow stronger and redeem yourself for what you've done."
Rukawa rolled his eyes internally.
So this whole lecture was just to recruit me?
Typical Hiruzen—the sly old fox never changed. Every time he saw a talented child, he tried to rope them in and brainwash them.
Uchiha Itachi was a classic case of a successful recruit.
"Lord Hokage, this... this doesn't seem right!"
Hyūga Makino stammered, confused.
Didn't he say he'd get justice for me? Why does it sound like he's about to adopt that little devil?!
"I have my reasons," Hiruzen replied casually, not even bothering to look at him again.
An ordinary jōnin didn't matter—not when compared to a monster-level genius.
Then, with a grandfatherly smile, he extended a hand toward Rukawa.
"Come, Rukawa. Come with Grandpa. I'll teach you the Will of Fire and help you use your strength to protect Konoha."
He believed this heartfelt invitation from the Hokage himself was something no child could refuse.
But then—
"Get lost. That disgusting smile of yours almost made me throw up my breakfast."
Rukawa's face twisted in pure revulsion. His voice was sharp and utterly disrespectful.
"Also, stop calling me that weird crap. Every time I hear it, I want to punch your ugly face in."
Hiruzen's grandfatherly smile froze.
In all his years as Hokage, no one had ever dared talk to him like this.
Don't get mad... don't get mad... just a child's tantrum...
He turned to Fugaku and snapped:
"Fugaku! Is this the kind of son you've raised? Is this what passes for discipline in the Uchiha clan?!"
"He just insulted the Hokage! This is outright treason!"
But Fugaku, still eating peanuts with the other Uchiha, didn't even flinch.
It was as if he'd gone deaf.
Truthfully, seeing Hiruzen getting cursed out felt kind of cathartic. Fugaku was... enjoying the show.
But Hiruzen's elite bodyguard couldn't stand it anymore.
"You brat! Mind your manners! The Hokage is showing you kindness and you spit in his face?!"
"He's offering you a chance of a lifetime! You should be on your knees thanking him—!"
SLAP!
CRUNCH!!!
"Since when does a dog get to bark when its master is talking?"
Rukawa appeared in front of the elite guard in a blur and slapped him clean across the square.
He flew back ten meters—his ANBU mask shattered, nose broken, half his teeth gone, blood streaming from his mouth.
He collapsed, unconscious.
"Uchiha Rukawa!! How dare you attack a fellow villager right in front of me?! Are you truly choosing the path of a traitor?!"
Hiruzen's voice thundered with fury. His eyes burned with rage.
To strike down his own bodyguard in front of him—this wasn't just disrespect. It was complete defiance of his authority.
Too arrogant. Too wild. This wasn't a child—it was a little devil in disguise.
Just like the rest of the cursed Uchiha clan.
And in that moment, the system sounded again in Rukawa's mind:
Ding... Mission Complete. +2 Sign-In Opportunities Awarded.
Rukawa smiled faintly.
Got him.